CantoMundo Records
Scope and Contents Note
The CantoMundo collection is organized in two series: 1) Administrative Files and 2) Memorabilia. Administrative Files include documentation related to the first three workshop retreats, a 2011 compilation of poetry by fellows, flyers, and newspaper clippings. Workshop retreat files include participant handouts (schedule and other relevant information) and founding committee member information sheet(s) for the inaugural retreat. Memorabilia includes a canvas tote bag with inscription "CantoMundo a place for Latina/o poets" and a couple of CantoMundo branded purple plastic accordion folders with pockets for a compact disc/business card.
Dates
- Creation: 2010-2012
Language of Materials
English
Access Restrictions
Unrestricted.
Use Restrictions
Standard copyright restrictions apply.
Historical Note
CantoMundo is a national poetry organization founded in 2009 by Norma E. Cantú, Celeste Guzmán Mendoza, Pablo Miguel Martínez, Deborah Paredez, and Carmen Tafolla. Inspired by Cave Canem and Kundiman (organizations for African American and Asian American poets), CantoMundo issues a call for applications every year and they select between 10-12 fellows. Once accepted the fellows can return to the annual writing retreat for up to three years, this approach fosters long-term support and collaborations.
CantoMundo's first gathering and writing retreat was convened in 2010 at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The inaugural gathering included a public poetry reading by Demetria Martinez and Martín Espada.
Celeste Guzmán Mendoza (poet, playwright and essayist born and raised in San Antonio, Texas) together with Deborah Paredez (poet, performance scholar, and cultural critic) served as Co-Directors from 2009-2019.
CantoMundo partners with different universities across the United States for a period of three years (might be extended) and the retreats are hosted by the sponsoring institution. As of 2022, the organization is based at the University of Arizona’s Poetry Center (2020-2022), CantoMundo’s previous sponsors include the Center for Mexican American Studies (CMAS) at The University of Texas at Austin (2011-2016) and Columbia University (circa 2017-2019).
Sources:
CantoMundo website, accessed March 1, 2022, https://www.cantomundo.org/
University of Arizona’s Poetry Center blog, accessed March 3, 2022, https://poetry.arizona.edu/blog/ua-poetry-center-partners-cantomundo
Full Extent
5 linear inches
Abstract
Records of CantoMundo, a national poetry organization that fosters Latinx poets via workshops, symposia, and public readings. The collection documents workshops held annually by CantoMundo.
Acquisition Information
Donation.
Accession numbers: 2012-08
Additions
Further materials are expected for this collection.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Carla O. Alvarez, 2022.
- Title
- CantoMundo Records
- Status
- Edited Full Draft
- Author
- Nettie Lee Benson Latin American Collection
- Date
- 2022
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard (Dacs)
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
Revision Statements
- 2025 July: Revised by Ryan Sullivant to fix validation errors prior to ingestion into ArchivesSpace.
- 2026: Edited by Carla O. Alvarez.
Repository Details
Part of the Benson Latin American Collection, The University of Texas at Austin Repository
2300 Red River Street
Austin Texas 78712 United States
(512) 495-4578
bensonspecialcollections@austin.utexas.edu